Star Tattoos

Stars are the most adaptable shape in the celestial range: on their own, in clusters, or as the finishing touch around something bigger. Here's what you'll find.

• Classic five-point stars, outlined or filled solid black
• Four-point sparkles and starbursts, often in tiny clusters for fingers and ears
• Shooting stars, from fine trails to tribal styles with heavy lines
• North Stars, minimalist or ornamental
• Mixed pieces where stars accompany planets, moons, flowers or other motifs

For something bold, solid black stars and tribal shooting stars carry the most weight; the fine-line sparkles are the subtle end. Each star tattoo starts pale and deepens to blue-black within a couple of days, then lasts around 7–14 days. For the symbolism, have a read of the meaning behind each shape. Related: astronomy tattoos and fine-line tattoos.